Around the Sound: The big top rises

It takes special skills to be in Cirque du Soleil productions. Even cleaning the company's big top is demanding. This season's production, "Amaluna," opened Thursday at Marymoor Park and will run through March 17. The show tells us of a fictional island, a goddess and the coming-of-age struggles of the queen's daughter. "Amaluna," is directed by Diane Paulus, whose Broadway works include, "Porgy and Bess." Cirque du Soleil has been presenting its extravaganza every other year in the Seattle area.